A dozen killer whales trapped in the ice about 30 kilometres off the coast of Inukjuak, Que., could be in imminent danger, as a local Inuk who visited them late Wednesday afternoon said the small patch of open water which the whales are sharing is already shrinking.

Twelve orcas were spotted at the breathing hole at the eastern top of Hudson Bay by an Inukjuak hunter Tuesday. The federal government is sending a team of experts tomorrow to evaluate whether they can be saved.